HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2006-05-01SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/01/2006 Page 1
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, MONDAY, MAY 1, 2006 AT 8:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting:
San Rafael City Council
Also Present: Ken Nordhoff, Interim City Manager
Gus Guinan, Assistant City Attorney
Jeanne M. Leoncini, City Clerk
Present: Albert J. Boro, Mayor
Gary O. Phillips, Vice -Mayor
Paul M. Cohen, Councilmember
Barbara Heller, Councilmember
Cyr N. Miller, Councilmember
Absent: None
OPEN SESSION — COUNCIL CHAMBER — 8:23 PM (held at conclusion of City Council meeting)
Mayor Boro announced Closed Session item.
CLOSED SESSION — CONFERENCE ROOM 201 - 8:24 PM — File 1-4-1.a
(held at conclusion of City Council meeting)
1. a) Conference with Labor Negotiators — Government Code Section 54957.6
Negotiators: Ken Nordhoff, Nancy Mackle, Lydia Romero, Donna Williamson,
Roger Crawford
Employee Organization(s): San Rafael Firefighters' Association
San Rafael Fire Chief Officers' Association
San Rafael Police Association
San Rafael Police Mid -Management Association
Confidential Unit
Western Council of Engineers
SEIU Miscellaneous & Supervisory
Mayor Boro announced at 10:01 p.m. that no reportable action was taken.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS OF AN URGENCY NATURE:
8:00 PM
a) Energy Vulnerability: - File 13-1 x 9-1
Steve Wohlrab, Planning Committee, Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy, noted the
country's growing "addiction to oil" and a quote from the head of Chevron: "the era of cheap oil is over."
He stated it was a fallacy to believe gas prices would go down and stay down and he could not
understate the impact this would have on a city such as San Rafael. Unless efforts were made to
mitigate the problem the impact would be potentially devastating, i.e. serious disruption to normal
lifestyles.
Being part of the planning committee for the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy, Mr.
Wohlrab indicated they were helping to put on an Energy Vulnerability summit for the entire North Bay
region for elected and appointed officials to take place on Friday, May 19, 2006 at Petaluma Community
Center. He was aware Marin County had been a leader and San Rafael had been involved in climate
protection issues and was pleased to note that Ann Hancock, Sonoma County Climate Protection
Campaign, would attend this meeting. Also in attendance would be Professor Richard Heinberg, expert,
and author of several books on this topic, together with Julian Darley, founder and director of the Post
Carbon Institute, and an author also.
Noting San Francisco had just passed a resolution regarding peak oil and the impact it would have on the
city, Mr. Wohlrab stated that all around the world people were beginning to wake up to this serious issue.
He indicated their sponsors included PG&E, Whole Foods and very generous citizens such as Jonathan
Frieman. He invited the City Council to attend the Energy Vulnerability summit; however, should this not
be possible, he suggested they send appropriate department heads or staff members.
b) Re -localization: - File 13-1 x 9-1
Thanking Mr. Wohlrab, Jonathan Frieman expressed concern about peak oil, global warming and future
dependence on oil. With regard to re -localization efforts, he indicated that food grown locally promotes
security, and suggested extra measures could be taken to conserve water, together with seriously
entertaining the idea of stopping growth.
Mr. Frieman suggested that the City Council begin to consider what a lack of easily accessible oil would
mean - state of emergency that could continue for a long time - and he encouraged them to attend the
May 19, 2006 meeting in Petaluma.
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Cohen moved and Councilmember Heller seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar, as
follows:
ITEM
2. Approval of Minutes of Special Joint
Redevelopment Agency/City Council Meeting of
June 7, 2005 and Regular Meeting of Monday,
April 17, 2006 (CC)
3. Report on Fair Political Practices Commission
(FPPC) Annual Filings (CC) — File 9-4-3
4. Resolution Waiving Payment of Fees for the
Building Permit Application for 1103 Lincoln
Avenue (CD) — File 9-10-2 x 10-2
5. Summary of Legislation Affecting San Rafael
(CM) —File 116 x 9-1
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Minutes approved as submitted.
Accepted report.
RESOLUTION NO. 11943 —
RESOLUTION WAIVING PAYMENT
OF FEES FOR BUILDING PERMIT
B0508-007 FOR 1103 LINCOLN
AVENUE IN AMOUNT OF $5,001.70
Approved staff recommendation:
AB 2511 — Land Use. Housing.
Assembly Member Jones. OPPOSE
SB 246 - Board of Professional
Engineers and Land Surveyors:
Engineers. Senator Figueroa.
SUPPORT
AB 2987 — Cable and Video Service.
Speaker Nunez and Assembly
Member Levine - OPPOSE
6. Appointment of Ken Nordhoff, Interim City
Interim City Manager Ken Nordhoff
Manager, as a MERA (Marin Emergency Radio
appointed as a MERA Director and
Authority) Director, and Lydia Romero, Assistant
Assistant to the City Manager, Lydia
to the City Manager, as Alternate (CM) —
Romero, appointed as an Alternate
File 4-13-102
Director.
7. Resolution Authorizing Execution of Contract for
RESOLUTION NO. 11944 —
Consultant Services with Bob Murray and
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
Associates for Executive Recruitment for Chief of
EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR
Police (CM) — File 4-10-352 x 9-3-30
CONSULTANT SERVICES WITH BOB
MURRAY AND ASSOCIATES FOR
EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT FOR
CHIEF OF POLICE (COMMENCING
ON MAY 1, 2006 AND ENDING ON
DECEMBER 31, 2006)
8. Resolution Accepting a Proposal from Harris and
RESOLUTION NO. 11945 —
Associates for Professional Engineering Design
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A
Services for the Preparation of Plans,
PROPOSAL FROM HARRIS &
Specifications, and Contract Documents for
ASSOCIATES FOR PROFESSIONAL
Fourth Street West Rehabilitation/West End
ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES
Village Project in an Amount not to Exceed
FOR THE PREPARATION OF PLANS,
$438,299 (PW) — File 4-3-452 x 9-3-40
SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT
DOCUMENTS FOR THE FOURTH
STREET WEST REHABILITATION /
WEST END VILLAGE PROJECT IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $438,299
AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
SIGN THE AGREEMENT
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/01/2006 Page 2
9. Resolution Accepting Grant of Easement for
Construction and Maintenance of Storm Drain
from Marin Academy (APN 011-195-03) (PW) —
RIP ?-4-33
10. Resolution Approving Amendment to the
Subdivision Improvement Agreement for
Subdivision Entitled "Parcel Map — Lands of
Rainoldi" to Correct the Completion Date and to
Provide for Alternative Security for the
Improvements (PW) — File 5-1-351
11. Resolution Authorizing Street Closures for the
24th Annual Great Race Finish Celebration on
Saturday, July 8, 2006 from 7:00 a.m.— 6:00 p.m.
on Fourth Street from Lincoln Avenue to A Street,
Including parts of Cijos & Lootens, and 1:30 p.m.
— 5:00 p.m. on Fourth Street from A Street to C
Street, Including Julia Street and parts of A
Street and B Street (RA) —
File 11-19 x (SRRA) R-181 x R-140 #8
12. Resolution Authorizing Approval of a Summer
Sidewalk Sale Pilot Program in the West End
Village (RA) — File 140 x (SRRA) R-140 #8
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/01/2006 Page 3
RESOLUTION NO. 11946 —
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING GRANT
OF EASEMENT FOR
CONSTRUCTION AND
MAINTENANCE OF STORM DRAIN
FROM MARIN ACADEMY
(APN 011-195-03)
RESOLUTION NO. 11947 —
RESOLUTION APPROVING
AMENDMENT TO THE SUBDIVISION
IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT FOR
SUBDIVISION ENTITLED "PARCEL
MAP — LANDS OF RAINOLDI", TO
CORRECT THE COMPLETION DATE
AND TO PROVIDE FOR
ALTERNATIVE SECURITY FOR THE
IMPROVEMENTS
RESOLUTION NO. 11948 —
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
STREET CLOSURES FOR THE 24TH
ANNUAL GREAT RACE FINISH
CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY,
JULY 8, 2006 FROM 7:00 A.M. — 6:00
P.M. ON FOURTH STREET FROM
LINCOLN AVENUE TO A STREET,
INCLUDING PARTS OF CIJOS &
LOOTENS, AND 1:30 P.M. — 5:00 P.M.
ON FOURTH STREET FROM A
STREET TO C STREET, INCLUDING
JULIA STREET AND PARTS OF A
STREET AND B STREET
RESOLUTION NO. 11949 —
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A
SUMMER SALE SIDEWALK PILOT
PROGRAM FOR THE WEST END
VILLAGE
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAINING: COUNCILMEMBERS: Miller (from minutes of 4/17/05 only, due to
absence from meeting)
PUBLIC HEARING:
13. Public Hearing:
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION LEVYING AN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE
DOWNTOWN PARKING AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR
2006-2007 (RA) — FILE 224 x 183
Mayor Boro declared the public hearing opened.
Economic Development Director Nancy Mackle stated this was an annual assessment for the
Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). She indicated that levying this fee raises much
needed funds for the downtown; such fees go back to the downtown and are used for promotion
of the downtown as an area in two ways - major events such as the upcoming May Madness
Classic Car Parade on May 201h and area advertising and promotion. Ms. Mackle stated that
the BID augments these funds they assess themselves with contributions from the
Redevelopment Agency, parking lot income and sponsorship income they raise.
Ms. Mackle reported that all of the efforts of the BID are managed by an extremely talented and
dedicated director, Joanne Webster, who makes it all come together.
Indicating that the recommended action tonight was to approve the resolution levying the
assessments for fiscal year 2006-2007, Ms. Mackle stated that should there be questions, she
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and Ms. Webster were available.
There being no comment from the audience, Mayor Boro closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Phillips moved and Councilmember Miller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 11950— RESOLUTION LEVYING AN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR
THE DOWNTOWN PARKING AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006-07
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
OLD BUSINESS:
14. RESOLUTION ADOPTING AMENDMENT TO CITY OF SAN RAFAEL BUDGET FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2005-2006 (MS) — FILE 8-5
Finance Manager Cindy Mosser reported that in February 2006, the Management Services
Department brought forth changes to the fiscal year 2005-2006 budget for Council approval.
The budget adopted in June 2005 projected a deficit in excess of $3.4 million and the February
2006 revised projected deficit was in excess of $3.3 million; however, the budget remained in
balance with the use of reserves. Ms. Mosser stated staff wished to bring forth other changes
to the budget since February 2006 for Council consideration and noted that most of these major
expenditure changes were presented to the City Council at the April 17, 2006 Study Session.
Ms. Mosser stated that some of the highlights of the General Fund revenue changes included:
Excess Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (Excess ERAF) increase of $298,000
based on the County of Marin Auditor -Controller's estimate received in February;
Business License Tax and Transient Occupancy Tax increases ($146,000 total) based
on collections through March 2006.
Explaining some of the expenditures affecting the General Fund, Ms. Mosser noted they
included two projects from the April 2006 Study Session:
The Library HVAC and Window Replacement Project cost is estimated to be $815,000,
with funding available from the following sources:
• Use of remaining library funds from the Davidson bequest ($315,000);
• Public Works would reallocate appropriations in the amount of $250,000;
• $250,000 of the $298,000 Excess ERAF.
City Hall Roof Project is estimated to be $472,000. Portion ($320,000) to be covered by
the Facility Maintenance Fund, utilizing amounts set aside for Miscellaneous Facility
Repairs for fiscal years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. General Fund reserves would cover
the balance of $152,000.
The 2005-2006 Winter Storms cost was estimated to be $883,000. President Bush
signed a federal major disaster declaration in February 2006 authorizing the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide federal assistance. Staff estimates
that FEMA and the State Office of Emergency Services reimbursement would be
approximately $795,000, the remaining $88,000 to be transferred from the Liability Fund.
Ms. Mosser reported that the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 budget would be presented in greater
detail to the City Council at the May 15, 2006 meeting. Staff's projections indicate that after the
project considerations, the General Fund would have approximately $1 million available for
policy considerations by the City Council; however, this would not include Marinwood. Ms.
Mosser indicated that a number of different options could be considered, including department
budget restorations, community expectations for restoration of lost services, infrastructure
maintenance, or rebuilding of reserves.
Ms. Mosser thanked Management Services staff Van Bach, Accounting Supervisor, and
Accountants Carl Tregner and Sherry Mason for their assistance in generating this report.
Since Marinwood was not included and appeared to be approaching resolution, Councilmember
Phillips inquired whether the agreement would be factored in at that point in time. Interim City
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Manager Ken Nordhoff stated he hoped to have a more finite answer on the negotiations at the
City Council meeting of May 15; therefore, it would be factored into the available funds.
Councilmember Heller inquired as to the current amount of Reserves.
Ms. Mosser stated that the Emergency Cash Flow totaled $2,086,000, with total Reserves of
$3.4 million.
Mayor Boro confirmed this to be 4.52% of the 10% goal and was something that needed to be
considered in allocating the balance of the hopeful surplus.
Councilmember Miller moved and Councilmember Heller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 11951 — RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2005-2006 BUDGET
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
15. a) PSP (Project Selection Process): - File 115 (2020) PSP x 9-1
Interim City Manager Ken Nordhoff stated that he and several members of staff had been
working for quite a few months in an effort to achieve closure on the Project Selection
Process (PSP) - traffic allocation process related to the General Plan. A dozen applications
had been received, and as it was becoming a much more complex universe from which to
understand all the traffic impacts and various public benefits or tax generation issues, Mr.
Nordhoff indicated he had invited Mayor Boro to consider appointing a sub -committee to
assist staff work through a lot of the issues prior to going before the Planning Commission
and City Council in the next three or four months.
Mayor Boro reported that Councilmember Cohen had agreed to work with him on a sub-
committee.
b) Telecommunication Measure: - File 9-1 x 4-13-101
Councilmember Heller reported that several Mayors and Councilmembers met with
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey recently and discussed with her the Federal
Telecommunication Measure which is before Congress, urging her support. She noted that
Lydia Romero, Assistant to the City Manager, put this very nice event together.
c) Ground Breaking for the Highway 101 Widening Project: - File 9-1 x 11-16
Mayor Boro reported that the formal ground breaking for the Highway 101 widening project
takes place tomorrow, Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. on Francisco Boulevard West in
front of the Beverages & More store.
There being no further business, Mayor Boro adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:23 p.m. to Closed
Session.
JEANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk
APPROVED THIS DAY OF 12006
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
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